Attwood Cuts Sod At Skainos Project

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood, has cut the first sod of the Skainos Project on the Lower Newtownards Road in East Belfast.

The Skainos Project involves the demolition of a number of buildings to create a purpose built, flagship development specifically designed to serve the needs of the wider East Belfast community.

In addition to providing a supported housing development in the form of the replacement for Hosford House Hostel, the multi-use facility will deliver:

• social housing
• a college/training centre
• seminar rooms
• youth centre
• day-care crèche
• mixed tenure apartments
• commercial retail units
• office accommodation
• multi-purpose hall
• a social economy kitchen and café.

Mr Attwood said: "This development will alleviate dereliction along a major arterial route providing a significant opportunity to reinvigorate and revive the area, delivering real change in one of Belfast's most deprived areas. It will provide support to improvements to health and well being, and improve educational attainment within the wider East Belfast community whilst significantly addressing housing need.


"Importantly the construction phase will provide much needed jobs and training opportunities.

"I would like to congratulate Skainos Limited, their partners and stakeholders on the start of the construction of such an ambitious and innovative project for East Belfast."

(CD)